Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild (2011 Film)

Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild (Korean: 마당을 나온 암탉; RR: Madangeul Naon Amtak) is a 2011 South Korean animated feature film directed by Oh Sung-Yoon. Produced by Myung Films, the movie is based on the children's novel of the same name by Hwang Sun-Mi. The film is noted for its commercial success in the South Korean domestic market.

Promotional poster for Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild — Promotional poster for the 2011 animated film Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild.

Plot

The story follows a hen named Leafie, who lives in confinement on a chicken farm. Dreaming of a life beyond the cage, she eventually escapes into the wild. After surviving an encounter with a predator, she finds herself in a natural environment where she meets a mallard duck known as the Drifter and an otter named Dal-Soo. Leafie eventually discovers an abandoned duck egg, which she decides to incubate. After the egg hatches, the duckling, named Cho-Rok, views Leafie as his mother, leading to a journey of cross-species parenting and survival in the wilderness.

Scene from Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild — A scene featuring the protagonist Leafie in the wilderness.

Production and Release

The film was released in South Korea on July 28, 2011, and distributed by Lotte Entertainment. The voice cast includes Moon So-Ri as Leafie, Yoo Seung-Ho as Cho-Rok, Choi Min-Sik as the Drifter, and Park Chul-Min as Dal-Soo. The film's screenplay was written by Hwang Sun-Mi, Na Hyun, and Kim Eun-Jung.

Reception and Commercial Performance

Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild achieved significant commercial success in South Korea. On September 4, 2011, the film surpassed 2 million ticket sales, marking it as the first domestic animated film to reach this milestone in the country. The film was also presented at several international film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival and the Sitges Film Festival, where it received the Best Sitges Family Film Diploma.